609 - The Parking Spot Escalation
Aired November 29, 2012

When Howard buys a new car, the university gives him Sheldon's parking spot. Sheldon is outraged at the loss of his spot, even though he doesn't have a car, and starts a tit-for-tat war with Howard. The battle between Sheldon and Howard affects the whole gang, drawing Amy, Bernadette and Penny into the conflict.

Episode Notes

During Sheldon and Howard's feud, Howard exacts revenge on Sheldon by sitting in his spot naked with Sheldon's laptop resting on his groin. Sheldon later describes the incident as a "nude revenge wiggle".

Episode Quotes

Bernadette: Gosh, Amy. I'm sensing a little hostility. Is it maybe because like Sheldon's work, your sex life is also theoretical?

Howard: Are you listening to yourself?Sheldon: I always listen to myself. It's one of the great joys of my life.

Sheldon: You know what they say. Revenge is a dish best served nude.

Howard: Sheldon, some day, if you get a car, I'm sure they'll give you another parking space.Sheldon: I don't want another parking space. I want my parking space. It's perfect. It's a corner spot, cutting the risk of door-dings in half. It's a mere 28 steps from the building entrance. The nearby tree provides shade on hot days and is also home to a delightful squirrel. Which is fortuitous because most squirrels are real jerks.

Episode Pictures (7)

Recap

While the guys eat in the university cafeteria and argue over the differences between mummies and zombies, Howard reveals he got a new car and has parked it in his spot 294. Sheldon is surprised to learn the university gave Howard his parking spot, even though Sheldon has no use for it. When Howard refuses to move his car out of Sheldon's spot, Sheldon take matters into his own hands and attempts to move the car.

Back at the apartment, Sheldon phones President Siebert to complain about the university reassigning his spot. Later, Howard arrives at Sheldon's office to demand he return his Iron Man helmet. Sheldon took at as he wanted it and Howard wasn't using it. In retaliation Howard takes Sheldon's diploma. Elsewhere, the girls arrive back to Penny's apartment after Amy has her first bikini wax. Bernadette and Amy complain about their guy's petty squabble, but things get dicey when they each side with their man. After the girls start insulting each other, Bernadette storms out.

As Sheldon, Leonard and Raj arrive back at the apartment, Sheldon is horrified to find Howard sitting in his spot - completely nude with Sheldon's computer resting on his lap. Later, Sheldon and Amy are at the university car park as Sheldon is spray painting out Howard's name on the sign next to the spot. Sheldon convinces Amy to park her car in the spot to stop Howard using it. Amy shows up at Howard and Bernadette's apartment to complain that Howard had her car towed. When Amy and Bernadette start bickering again, it gets physical as she attempts to hit Bernadette with her purse - only to hit Penny in the face. Amy and Bernadette realize they've taken things too far and apologize to Penny, though the peace is short-lived when Bernadette admits to being the one who scratched Amy's car.

The next morning, Sheldon has set up his office outside in his parking spot. Howard arrives in his car and demands Sheldon move so he can park there. Sheldon counters that he's now using his spot and claims nothing can move him. Howard drives his car forward, nudging Sheldon's seat out of the way. When Leonard arrives, he attempts to calm the friends down, but as Leonard reasons with Howard, Sheldon sneaks into Howard's car and sits in the driver's seat in the nude.

Raj takes Howard to Sheldon's office to apologize. Sheldon accepts Howard's apology but refuses to let him be the bigger man, instead deciding to let Howard use the spot until he learns to drive or gets a Batmobile. Later, at the Cheesecake Factory, Howard and Sheldon, Bernadette and Amy toast to burying the hatchet. The only one not happy is Penny, who has two black eyes. Finally, Sheldon takes his couch cushion to the dry cleaner to get it cleaned after Howard's nude revenge wiggle.